EBA Calls Larry Davis as an Associational Missionary
By Sharon Mager
SALISBURY, Md. – At a June 19th called meeting of pastors and churches of the Eastern Baptist Association (EBA) at Allen Memorial Baptist Church, Salisbury, Larry Davis, the pastor of Grace Seaford Church, was unanimously called to serve as Associational Missionary.
Randall Blackmon, the pastor of Faith Fellowship Church, Cambridge, and a member of the EBA executive team said, “We are excited to have Larry Davis to serve as our Associational Missionary for the EBA!”
The search committee, in their letter of recommendation for Davis wrote, “Larry has much experience within our association. He has a proven track record in church strengthening and revitalization, and church planting, through the gospel success he has led with Grace Seaford and Grace Mardela. Larry is deeply involved in our association’s disaster relief ministry. He wants to share the ministry with other pastors and churches and he knows how to build a team.
We believe Larry is uniquely positioned to lead our association due to his and his church’s intimate involvement with our association, the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D), and our national Southern Baptist entities. This gives him needed and thorough insight and understanding of our context and culture on the Delmarva Peninsula. He is a man who possesses leadership qualities, a leader of leaders, one who casts vision, a pastor to pastors, an encourager, a good communicator, approachable, with authentic character who exercises Holy Spirit-filled wisdom and discernment.”
In a video message to EBA pastors and leaders, Davis said he was honored to assume the new role. He said he wants to enhance communication for missional partnerships. This includes updating the website for events, training, and opportunities to partner missionally, as well as increasing the EBA social media presence, sending weekly emails, and utilizing video communications.
Davis said, “I want you to know that we will give you missional opportunities.” He encouraged churches to share what they’re doing for outreach. “Some of you have just great opportunities to reach people with the gospel, and we want to share that, and get back to partnering together as local churches, to see God do more through our partnerships.”
Additionally, the new associational missionary stated that he wants to continue the monthly fellowship luncheons and add a quarterly gathering for bi-vocational pastors. “We want to increase our fellowship to support one another, and share information and training.
Other EBA leaders are Administrator Robin Boone, and the EBA executive team including: Daryl MacCready, pastor of SonRise Church, Berln; Randall Blackmon, pastor of Faith Fellowship Church, Cambridge; Bruce Glisson, executive pastor of Allen Memorial Church, Salisbury; Brad Diehl, pastor of Berlin First Baptist Church and Andrew Morgan, the pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, Salisbury.
Davis will continue to serve as pastor of Grace Church in Seaford, alongside his wife, Susan, of 33 years, and their two children, Britney and Seth. (see feature photo, provided by the Davis family)